The Worldwound Incursion.

Game Master Akinra

Everyone not the fly is up

"Aranthis! Lure it back in with us!" Zogar called, retreating to inside the temple, beside Ghorza. There he prepared to swipe at the fly should it follow.

Ready attack on fly.

greatsword PAFF: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 = 12

confirm threat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 = 10

Oh well.

Aranthis calls back into the temple, "Here it comes!"
Moving quickly, she retreats into the temple and ducks around the corner. As she comes to a stop she swings around, bringing her blades to bear in preparation for striking at the beast as it enters.

Move Action: 20' into temple; Std Action: Ready action to attack fly when it enters.

Main Hand (Hit/Dam): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 2 = 131d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 = 6

Already took my turn running back to the NPCs. Just Ghorza to move, I think.

Ghorza readies herself for the fly.

Steady Action: Ready attack on fly when it's in reach

Melee Atk hit/dmg: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 231d6 ⇒ 6

heck yes!

Confirm Crit/Second dmg: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 111d6 ⇒ 4

The fly begins to enter into the hall, and the warrior leap upon the beast, slaying it effortlessly.

The temple is now empty, save the corpse of a rather foul undead and the corpse of a giant fly.

Ghorza walks up to the corpse and removes the ring and takes out the potions.

"Considering I already carry the brooch, perhaps the ring as well. Never been one to wear rings, fat fingers, but I don't think I want to wear something looted off the dead before it is cleansed anyway."

Placing her pack and shield down, she picks up the corpse best she can without the damn thing falling apart before turning around and nodding towards the fly.

"This temple has seen enough desecration, it is no place to leave the corpses of vermin to rot. We should take them out and dump them as far from here as able, even burn them. Or at least this one.' she adds, shifting the weight of the undead priest 'Even those who forsake their gods should be shown some level of mercy. Burning it would erase his sin from this plane. Zogar, mind grabbing the fly? Or would you like to wait for me to come back and assist you? she then turns to Aranthis.

"I think it best you use the remaining holy water to cleanse this place and sanctify it. We may very well be the last people to visit here, but to leave it tainted is just...' she makes a disgusted face. "Do what you can to make this place a sanctuary worthy of bearing the holy symbol of Torag once again."

And with that she moves into the entrance hall of the temple before shouting back:

"Anyone who would like to keep me company, and add a little bit of extra attack power is welcome to come! An extra pair of friendly eyes is always welcome... no offense, Vash!"

I decided against moving anything in case the body falls apart or someone has a better idea.

Zogar only grunted in reply, but he sheathed his sword and went to grab the disgusting fly, dragging it after Ghorza.

When they had left the corpses well away from the temple, the Kellid watched Ghorza set fire to them. "Your goddess would forgive even those who forsake the faith they are sworn to?" he asked curiously. "I can see why you would want to cleanse the temple of its taint, but why should it be shown mercy?"

"I definitely can't leave before showing this place the respect it deserves. I would definitely appreciate it if we could get the corpses out of here." Aranthis says as she wipes and sheathes her weapons.

"You should take a bit of the holy water and sprinkle it over his corpse as well before burning it. Redemption is not normally something Torag teaches, and I don't know why he fell, but I can't help but feel great sadness at the priest's fate. Creating this temple was truly a great deed, and I think that putting him to rest properly is a way of honoring the wonder of his creation. I'm sure Torag has already decided his fate in the afterlife."

Aranthis then took to cleaning out the floor of the temple and wiping down the altar the best she could, before retrieving some holy water. Sprinking the holy water over the altar, she spoke quietly. "Torag, let your blessing fall upon this temple once more."

She then spends some time reading out various relevant passages from the holy text before finally kneeling down at the altar. "Torag, forger of the world, bearer of Kaglemros, hear my prayer. We are far from home in a dangerous place, foes hinder our egress and swarm in the city above us. I swear that I will see the others to safety and do my part to restore Kenabres. I also swear that I will return to this temple to tend it as soon as I can. Please grant me the tools necessary to see these tasks through to fruition."

Finished, she carefully puts away the tome in her pack and gets prepared to leave. "Shall we continue?" she asks the others.

Phoenix taps two fingers to his forehead and offers a half salute to the altar of Torag before following Ghorza out of the temple. Under normal circumstances, he would stay to help Aranthis clean the temple, but the overbearing smell of death and decay threatens to overpower his senses.

"Well, that was a wash, no pun intended," Phoenix said to Ghorza. "I was hoping to find something more useful than an abandoned temple. Supplies, a way to the surface, something."

"We did not search very thoroughly. Perhaps there is more to be found," Zogar said, thinking of the altar. "The dead one must have been guarding something. Why else remain there for so long?"

Zogar is a bit fuzzy on the matter of intelligent vs. unintelligent undead.

Ghorza takes the least amount of holy water necessary, sprinkling it lightly enough so that the dead thing still catches alight.

She stares at the fire as it burns, the warm dim light engulfing her, Zogar and Phoenix for a short time.

"Sarenrae is judgement and redemption. Anyone willing to seek salvation and change their ways, truly change them and not simply for benefit or guise, can be redeemed.'

She turns and walks begins walking back to the temple.

"But he was neither in a state to seek redemption, nor her follower for her to give it to. He is in Torag's court to be judged there. I cannot think of what such circumstances drove him though, and cannot ignore the possibility that there is some kind of explanation that would shade him in a better light. Loneliness? Betrayal? Madness? To be down here taxes even the strongest souls, and we are together. To be alone and lost in a realm belonging to your god... his faith was tested, and he failed, but the man he was still deserved what little we could give."

She entered the temple and stood in silence as Aranthis finished her prayers, before turning and asking what they should do now.

"We never did get a chance to explore the surrounding area' she says, retriving her shield, and moving the pack closer to the door, as against an altar seemed disrespectful now that she thought on it 'We should take a look. Aranthis, did you find anything interesting or potentially useful while cleansing the temple? If not, there may be carvings on the outer walls we have yet to see."

"It definitely wouldn't hurt to look around the place to see if we missed anything before we leave." she says, clearly in a good mood now that she feels she's restored some semblance of order to the temple.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 8

"I'll help. Can't hurt to double check."

Ghorza does a second sweep, moving in the opposite direction of Aranthis.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

You notice pouch on the undead's belt which contains on one withered hand it wears a knotted gold ring. The creature’s masterwork war hammer lies dusty on the ground, long forgotten. Aside from those items, nothing seems valuable. As Ghorza competes her funeral ritual, the nasty green haze lifts slightly.

"It would appear your efforts are pleasing to Torag, perhaps?" Anevia observes.

K. Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Horgus snorts, "Figured that out all by your self?"

Following Horgus' rude comment, Anevia leaves to assist in the search of the area, leading Aravashnial out as well. As you recall, the tunnels led in only one other direction.

"Anyone hear know how to wield a warhammer? We could just clean it up and leave it on the altar, as it seems to have been something only a priest of Torag would be given. Still, the quality is very nice would be a shame to leave it here if someone could put it to better use."

I have also already picked up the gold ring and both of the Cure Light Wounds potions :P

Whew, had some trouble with the site for a while there.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"A crushing blow may be of use where a sword is not," Zogar rumbled. "Aranthis, will you use it? Your god could not be upset by that. Maybe it was intended for you, if the gods have a purpose in sending us here."

"I can use it, although I much prefer my blades. We should definitely take it with us though, tools were made to be used in Torag's eyes."

"I cannot wield it effectively, by the way," Phoenix notes. "Just in case any one was going to bother asking. I'm certain it was a prominent question on everyone's minds."

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 If there's anything else, I assume that finds it. If there's nothing else in the room...

"At any rate, I believe we have uncovered all there is to be uncovered in here, perhaps redeemed an ex-priest, and Aranthis has at least partially restored the temple to its former glory. And you all have slain yet another abnormally large insect. I make the motion that we continue onward on the path to the...um," Phoenix pauses to run a hand through his hair, causing it to stick out at strange angles. "South? North? The way that we were going to go before we chanced upon this temple."

"Agreed, Phoenix. The sooner we get moving, the sooner we'll get back to the surface!" she exclaims.

Aranthis quickly grabs the warhammer and secures it to her pack. Standing back up, she puts the backpack on and proceeds to head out of the temple. As she exits the temple she turns around briefly and says quietly "I'll be back to tend this place soon enough, I promise."

"Come on everyone, lets get moving!" she calls out as she heads for the exit of the alcove containing the temple.

The twisting tunnel winds about 3,000 feet (at a speed of 20 feet, this takes about 30 minutes to navigate) before ending after a gradual rise in elevation of 30 feet. Stone figures are carved into the walls of this cavern. Each depicts a different crusader clad in armor and wielding weapons, but their carved stone features contain expressions of sadness.

Anevia is narrating the journey to Aravashnial, in part to keep the elf engaged, and in part because her doing so noticeably irritates Horgus. Once he learns about the statues in this room, Aravashnial becomes very intrigued. He again shares one of his theories with you—an old legend that after the First Crusade a group of crusaders who had become infected with Abyssal energies fled into these caverns to raise their deformed children in peace, and that their descendants live on today in the tunnels below the city. The presence of these statues here gives significant credence to the tale, as the elf assumes they were carved by the children.

"If I thought that innocence conceived near the Wound and cast into darkness was abhorrent, to think that Kernabes turned it's back on the very heroes who fought against the fear and evil that crawled from it. If being cast out by parents you never knew didn't turn you toward dark thoughts of the surface, then surely seeing them heavy with sorrow and burden because those they fought for would not fight for them certainly would."

Ghorza says sadly, running her hands along the walls and looking mournfully at the the people that she had so longed to be like only hours before.

"It seems though we may be getting closer to light, the darkness is also getting thicker. Such dedication and admiration for their parents... and yet to grow up remembering their faces only like this..."

She sighs, it was too much for her to dwell on at the moment, but there were definitely people down here that needed salvation, hope, peace. She was unsure whether a fledgling paladin such as herself was up to the task, but Sarenrae had chosen her to be there, and so be there she must. For if she couldn't shine the light in a place where it is seen the easiest, then how could she expect to make others see it who are only in the dark metaphorically?

The injustice and dishonor that was brought to surface just by the presence of the carvings soured her tongue, no one who battles evil should be cast out because of the side-effects.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

She looks into the shadows, away from the light, seeing if her dark vision can pick up anything that the light missed, before looking with it's aid.

The faces and carvings look much different when looking at them clear in darkness, no light to distort or exaggerate their features with shadow.

Besides that, she doesn't pick up on anything.

"Mmm hmm. It is quite a sad tale Ghorza, but at the very least we can share it with those who would be moved by it. I wonder though if any of them are still down here. We've seen plenty of terrible insects, but haven't spotted any of the forgotten children. Do you think they're hiding? I hope they weren't wiped out by the forces before the invasion of the surface."

As they continue by the statues, Aranthis admires the work. "Even though their situation was terrible, they managed to carve these works. It's truly a testament to the strength of spirit of those who lived down here."

There is an exit to another cave ahead to the south west.

Map link updated

[ooc] nothing for three days? What's up people? [ooc]

Ghozra continues forward, ahead of the light, and cautiously peers around the bend, sword drawn.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

As you venture deeper into the cavern, you notice a flitting out of the corner of your eyes.

K. Arcana

Black tentacled creatures release from the ceiling and begin drifting in your direction. Their many tentacled forms seem to drift unnaturally through the air as they close in on your small group.

Initiative, Aranthis: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Initiative, Ghorza: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9
Initiative, Phoenix: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Initiative, Zogar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Initiative, Enemy 1 (Modifier withheld): 1d20 ⇒ 16
Initiative, Enemy 2 (Modifier withheld): 1d20 ⇒ 7

Sadly, Ghorza's initiative rolling streak remains alive.

Zogar, Enemy 1 (Northern) Phoenix, Aranthis, Ghorza, Enemy 2 (Southern)

"Well, there certainly seems no end to the supply of odd, hostile creatures down here" Aranthis says in surprise as the odd tentacled creatures drift down at them.

Drawing her swords, she moves to engage the nearest one and takes a swing at it.

Main Hand (Hit/Dam): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

I'm kinda glad about that. She started off with not being stealthly or graceful, loud and clunky. So the 0 reflex thing is nice for staying in character :D Reflexes like a minx, and old, deaf, arthritic minx lol

This is better. Black, shadowy things.

Zogar scowled at the weird-looking creatures. "If they want a fight, they shall have one!" Keeping an eye out as he moved to flank the monster with Aranthis, he readied his sword for when the thing came within reach.

greatsword: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 +2 if flanking
dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14

Zogar cleaves easily through the first creature before it has a chance to act. Meanwhile, Arathis steps up to the remaining beast and savagely wounds the beast.

Rest of party, then Enemy 2

So did you already roll Knowledge (Arcana) for us, or should we roll it ourselves? Gonna just assume Nix failed it for now.

Phoenix squints at the remaining creature a short distance away. His face scrunches itself as he attempts to discern what manner of creature it is, but from the puzzled look on his face, it is obvious that he is coming up with nothing of relevance.

"Well, Demonsbane obliterated one of them easily," mutters Phoenix, "and I'd rather not waste a spell determining if they have minds susceptible to confoundingly contrasting colors, sooooo..."

Phoenix shifts behind Drallidur, and drops his crossbow to level once he no longer runs the risk of shooting a bolt into her back. The soft thrum of the crossbow marks the sound of the bolt hurtling off towards the tentacled drifter.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Ghorza saves thoughts and words for a later time, instead attacking once she got the clear.

Melee Atk Hit/Damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 71d6 ⇒ 4

Maybe her eagerness had gotten the better of her, but her fighting style was noticeably sloppier than earlier.

Although it is obviously injured, the strange flying squid makes its assault, focusing on the half orc paladin.

To Hit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

In its current condition, the beast lacks the cohesion necessary to even connect with Ghorza.

Circling around behind Ghorza, Zogar swept his sword at the second creature with a shout while Aranthis harried it from the other side.

greatsword PAFF: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 = 15
dmg: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 = 8

I should have added, "Party is up" to the end of my last post

Anevia informs the blind elf, "It looks like a flying squid! Surely this place is cursed." as she pulls the elf way from the combat.

Noticing his rival retreating, Horgus moves to keep himself between the blind man and the darkmantle.

Whoops! Posted my last comment on my main account. Is there a way to set a default for specific threads or subforums only?

Phoenix's eyes shift backward towards Horgus defending Aravashnial, and a faint smile washes over the wizard's face. Nix tips Horgus a wink, and turns back to the "flying squid," dropping another bolt into his crossbow and pulling the hammer to draw it back.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

And does minimum damage. Take that, squid bat!

The last of the flying squid falls from the air with a sickening sploot sound. Through the southeastern tunnel, you can make out the faint glimmer of a camp fire or perhaps a torch.

"Lets not linger here, lest more of those things, or other things come after us."

Seeing that there's light up ahead, and given the luck they've been having, Aranthis makes a point of keeping her weapons drawn.

"A fine shot," Zogar acknowledged to Phoenix as his bolt took down the floating squid. He strode after Aranthis, watching the shadows rather than the bright fire. He, too, kept his greatsword drawn.

"What manner of dwellers beneath have we found?" He thought of Aravashnial's tales of the abandoned children, and Ghorza's hope for them. While he kept his sword drawn and was wary of attack, he made no threatening movements himself.

Proceeding into the next room, you perceive a small campfire and a well-used bedroll, along with a few utensils and tools, sits near another cave opening in the far wall of this cavern.

A wild eyed dwarf sits slightly away from the fire, fixated on some task or another. Perception: 1d20 + 5 - 6 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 5 - 6 - 3 = -1, likely due to the distance between you and he, the dwarf makes no notice of your entrance into the cave.

Phoenix speaks in a low whisper to the party, "Looks like we have another survivor, although if his bedroll is any indication, he may have been down here for some time. Perhaps one of the Forgotten Ones."

Phoenix pauses to reload his crossbow. "I am most certainly willing to lead with diplomacy, but I am not willing to walk in unarmed. Would anyone care to address the dwarf? I am not always the greatest with first impressions," Phoenix says quietly. At the last comment, Flitwing mutters her agreement, if perhaps a bit too readily.

"I believe Aranthis should go. She worships a god popular among the Dwarves, so has common ground."

She glances warily back to the mad looking dwarf.

"I think it best I stay back a bit until we establish a form of peace with him. Dwarves have a tendency to... dislike me." Ghorza mutters something about racist pigmies under her breathe. "I will stay back, but not hide out of sight. If we are to create some trust here it is better not to hide our numbers."

Ghorza then motions for Vash, Anevia and Horgus to come in closer to the group.

"Phoenix, you should accompany her, but either sheath or leave your crossbow. Aranthis is capable of handling any conflict-' Ghorza stops suddenly, remembering the hammer "We have no idea how he will react to seeing this' she notions to the warhammer Aranthis is carrying 'While it could be used to encourage him to trust us, or Aranthis at least, he may also attack us if he believes we stole from a Priest of Torag. I'll leave the decision up to you, Aranthis."

"True enough, but I would rather have the crossbow on hand. If the dwarf is reasonable, he will have no problem seeing armed strangers in an area crawling with oversized insects. If he is not reasonable, I would just as soon be ready for that possibility.

If he attacks due to a misunderstanding, I can always expend a spell to leave him stunned for a handful of seconds - enough time to find a way to diffuse the situation, I would imagine - which will leave no lasting damage."

Phoenix frowns slightly, "I think. I suppose the spell's effects could potentially cause a higher propensity for impaired vision in the long run, but at any rate it should solve the problem at hand."

Phoenix glances back towards the dwarf, attempting to discern anything else about him before Aranthis announces their presence.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Ghorza smiles.

"I think you'd find a crossbow a bit clumsy at close range. So I think it best for Aranthis to go ahead alone, while we stay in range."

She looks over at Aranthis.

"Greet him in a way that tells him you follow Torag. Then tell him our number, how we got here and that we are peaceful. Simply looking for a way out. We will stay back until he either welcomes us or attacks. I trust you can survive an initial attack from an...' she glances over at the dwarf 'unstable looking dwarf."

Ghorza sighs, running her hand through her hair.

"If it were anything other than a dwarf, I would have already gone in and greeted them. But unfortunately it is, and dwarves have tended to attack me on sight in the past. So it can't be me. "

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 if applicable

Aranthis nods and replies "I'm not the best with words, but I can understand the worry that the dwarf might make a judgement before hearing you speak. I'll do the best I can."

Pulling out her silver hammer pendant, she makes sure it's clearly visible resting atop her armor. Changing her grip on the blades so they're point down, she begins advancing confidently towards the dwarf.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

"Hello there friend, might we share your fire for a bit? We've been travelling for a while and could use a chance to rest. I'm Aranthis, Blacksmith, follower of Torag, and traveler in these strange tunnels as of this morning." She finishes of with a smile and a bow towards the dwarf.

As Aranthis approaches, the dwarf looks up, "The Crusade has found me!" he shrieks.

"It does not matter at all! You will die before you can lure more of your Crusader filth to my home!"

Initiative, Aranthis: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Initiative, Ghorza: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3
Initiative, Phoenix: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Initiative, Zogar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Initiative, Enemy 1 (Modifier withheld): 1d20 ⇒ 20

The mad dwarf quickly utters some magical words, waving his hands wildly, as he retreats further back.

Party is up

Ghorza hisses and turns to face Vash, Anevia and Horgus.

"Do any of you think you can talk reason into him. You are not of the Crusade. Tell him of the demon and the dragon, that we are not here looking for anything but a way to the surface. I have no wish to kill him."

Blast it all. I have no qualms with killing that which is blatantly evil, but insanity and paranoia do not make the Dwarf evil, or irredeemable.

She pulls out her symbol of Sarenrae and kisses it.

Guide my blade with your light, Dawnflower. May his fate be true to your judgement.

Aranthis sheathes her weapons and approaches the dwarf. "Please calm down, just hear us out for a moment. We're not of the crusade and no one else is coming. We're just passing through on our way to the surface."

As she gets close to him, she keeps her hands held out so he can see they're empty.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

This probably isn't the safest course of action, but I need to give him a chance.

AC is 19 at the moment

"Ho, dwarf!" Zogar called inadvisedly from where he stood. He didn't sheathe his sword, but he did plant the end of it in the ground. "We are part of no crusade, and we mean you no harm! We do not even know who you are. We only seek the surface," he boomed in echo of Aranthis, looking on the stranger with more amusement than anger.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 20 Aww yeah! :D